Its been awhile since ive been here, lost interest for awhile, but got it back. Im looking to buy the Sporties sp-200 as mentioned previously, although i would like a cheaper option, but im also going to start flight training, so i need a radio that will preform proficiently 100% of the time.

Anyways, so my location is like this. The airport is in a flat valley, maybe 5-6 nm away, abit closer possibly. Im on top of the hill, on a 45 degree side from the airport So its like this. The airport is north in the valley, this hill is south, and im on the east side, but very close to top. Theirs no hills inbetween me and the airport,so i think i should possibly with the right antenna havesome good luck. Im still confused onthe difference between the Jpole, and a Dupole, what OHM cable to get etc. I know nothing about that stuff, so thats why im here What do you guys think i should use for the setup in regards to that? Ill still leave the market open for cheaper Handhelds, but i dunno. Only problem, is that the charger for that thing is another 100 bucks, i mean like a 9c charger, lol this is more expensive then i was told *rolls eyes*. Let me know! Anyone using the sporties sp-200 by chance?

The copper J-pole has about 3dB's of gain whereas the discone has 0 (zero). It really depends on your circumstances/situation. Check out this thread for more details on the J-pole and how to build one: http://www.liveatc.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1491

As to tuning the j-pole, you tune the J-pole by the measurements you build by (See the above linked, thread).